Barcelona (EFE) with the law of reduction of inflation.
The two European leaders took advantage of the press conference after the Spanish-French summit in Barcelona on Thursday to show their concern about the impact that this North American policy could have on European industry.
Sánchez said that an EU reaction to the plans and laws of other countries is “necessary” to “attract investment”, and called for a “firm and forceful” response to ensure the viability of the European industry.
Macron recalled that he had recently told US President Joe Biden that this policy could be positive for the US, but that it had consequences for Europe. And he warned today that, if the EU does not act, progress can be made towards the “deindustrialization” of the European continent.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warns from Davos
Also this week, from Davos (Switzerland), the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, warned against the discrimination that European companies may suffer in the US due to the entry into force in that country of the law to reduce inflation, which favors subsidies to clean technologies.
We must be more ambitious in Europe regarding the green and digital transition,” said Macron, who advocated simplifying investments with simple instruments for companies.
Macron pointed out that he was “very confident” that in the coming months a shared strategy in this area could be agreed upon within Europe.
Europe, as he argued, is the continent that is being affected the most by the rise in energy prices derived from the war in Ukraine and, at the same time, receives the impact of US aid to “accelerate the decarbonization of its economy ».
In particular, Macron defended negotiating “exemption regimes” with the US so that the EU has the same treatment as Mexico or Canada and can thus protect European value chains.
“Agile” mechanisms to help European industry
“We are going to ask for simple and fast mechanisms like those of the US,” stated the French president, who insisted on the importance of not having unequal proposals between European countries, but rather that the common market be kept together.
Sánchez agreed with Macron in defending the application of measures to achieve the reindustrialization of Europe in a “green and digital” key and to prevent US policies from going against European industry.
The Spanish ruler also regretted that “the bureaucratic tangle of the EU” makes these public policies difficult to help European industry, and was in favor of resorting to “much more agile” instruments.